In honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2010, we have compiled examples of the many ways you can go green on your wedding day. From having an outdoor wedding to save on electricity to using locally grown flowers to reduce your wedding's carbon footprint!

We're approaching summer and many of you may be thinking of having an outdoor wedding. Although outdoor weddings can be very beautiful because of the scenery, there are a few things to take into consideration. Make sure to have a back up plan in case of inclement weather (rain, wind or extreme heat). A tent can be an easy fix! Other things to be prepared for - bugs, permits and a menu that can withstand the heat.

Strapless with Detail: On her big day, Caroline opted for a classic and sleek empire waist dress with simple beaded details. Her minimal make-up and modest jewelry choices are perfect for the "laid-back" bride.

Simple with Bold Accessories: Mikaela took a simple white dress and accessorized it with bold and bright statement pieces for a chic look. This pairing is both fun and trendy!

Old Hollywood Glam: Kristi's dress is a tribute to the glamour of the 1940's; paired with bold make-up and no jewelry, this dress is a statement of its own.

Vintage: This vintage gown that Kelly chose for her wedding looks amazing with all her vintage accessories (earrings, veil, and ring!)

Couture Gown: For Tovah's New Year’s Eve Wedding, she went for a dress as extravagant as the event. Her pink wedding/party dress is a great option for the non-traditional bride.

Sheer with Embroidered Details: Kristen's simple and elegant dress is perfect for the classic bride. She opted to pair her dress with other classic staples like a long veil, pearls and a simple updo.

Princess Gown: Cristina's style of dress is the number one choice for many brides. It's classic and elegant and when paired with a tiara, it will really make you feel like a princess on your big day!

The central theme for your wedding should be representative of your tastes, your personalities, and your life as a couple. The wedding theme is the driving force that helps everything fall into place, from the location of the wedding to the attire of the wedding party. Need some help figuring out what your wedding will say about your life? Grab some ideas here from our D.C. list.
Continue reading "Wedding Theme Ideas in Washington DC"

Father’s day is this weekend and we’re taking the opportunity to honor all those special men in our lives. Over the years Bella Pictures has captured some amazing and touching moments between the bride and her father and we couldn’t help but share them with our other brides-to-be.

Before the world of boyfriends and weddings, dad was once the only man in your life. Your big day is going to be just as special for him as it is for you and will be filled with many heartfelt moments that you will always cherish.

We also recognize that not everyone is able to have their dad walk them down the aisle or be a part of their wedding, and so we pay tribute to all the great memories you have experienced with the ones you love and wish you many more.

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably completely addicted to Pinterest. You didn’t think you were the only ones having all the fun, did you? It isn't just The Knot or Style Me Pretty that are leading the way in wedding inspiration boards anymore (although they do have fantastic pics). In fact, we’ve recently added a sweet little “Pin it” button to each of our blog photos, making our brides’ lives even easier. We hope you enjoy using it to pin all our gorgeous real-wedding photos to your inspiration boards!

We're busy getting our boards going, and adding more every week, so check out our profile on Pinterest if you have not already. Tell us in the comments section (or on our Facebook page) your favorite images to pin on Pinterest and what you want to see on our boards. Elizabeth Kelly did and now you can find her featured on some of our boards. Happy Pinning!

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and, inspired by this festive holiday, we thought it the perfect opportunity to showcase some lovely and eye-catching wedding photos. Today we are featuring bold colors, unique décor, dramatic dresses and enormous flowers – timeless ideas that work for any type of wedding, all year long. Margaritas anyone?

For the bride who is looking for something a little different from the traditional wedding, taking inspiration from the brilliant hues and fabulous décor of a Cinco de Mayo celebration may be the perfect fit. Read on for more tips on how to incorporate a little “fiesta” into your wedding day.

Large flowers are an easy way to add vibrance and beauty without going overboard on a particular theme. We love the look of a giant hair flower - it makes a statement all on its own. Or use one type of flower for your bouquet or centerpiece, drawing inspiration from handmade paper flowers.

Traditional Spanish dresses with flowing ruffles are so very elegant and so different from the typical wedding gown. They look good on all figures and body types!

For a modern twist on a whimsical birthday party staple, use lanterns or paper-maché pendants hanging from trees or the ceiling, as inspired by traditional piñatas.

Some other inspired ideas for the reception include using patterned blankets as overlays on the tables, serving a citrus flavored cocktail as a signature drink, or even have a mariachi band kick off the night!

Bella Picture weddings are one of our favorite sources for ideas and inspiration. Tell us more about your clever ideas and leave a comment below or on our Facebook page and we may feature your wedding here!

Every year, global color authority Pantone scopes out the biggest color trends coming out of New York Fashion Week and releases its Fashion Color Report. For 2012, they've announced Tangerine Tango as the official Color of the Year.

Tangerine Tango is a vibrant reddish orange hue that invokes a sense of energy and renewal, making it a great source for wedding color inspiration. In addition to being named Color of the Year, Tangerine Tango was also highlighted in Pantone's list of colors to watch for specifically in Spring 2012 fashion lines, meaning this lively color is a perfect choice for fashion savvy spring weddings. Check out these wedding photos that feature Tangerine Tango and similar orange themes.
To get more wedding color inspiration, visit our Inspiration Boards.

Wine come is many different shades including the deep rich burgundies of a Pinot Noir to the light shades of a Rosé. These colors are great for fall or winter weddings and can complement many skin tones. These tones are very dramatic and can be used as an accent color alone without accompanying colors if you want to make a bold statement.

The color orange signifies energy and warmth which is often associated with the sun. Orange is one of the predominate colors in most fall themed weddings due to the changing foliage. Shades of orange can be seen as transitional which is perfect for weddings because the bride and groom are transitioning into a life together.

Tiffany Blue™, which is very close to Robins Egg Blue, is a very popular color for weddings and is associated with the little blue boxes that Tiffany & Co. fine jewelry comes in. This particular shade of blue exudes elegance and creates a crisp feel. For this reason, many weddings use Tiffany Blue™as the accent color which is usually paired with white for a classic look.

The color purple signifies royalty and spirituality which is very fitting for a wedding. Darker purples (violet) suggest riches which goes hand in hand with royalty while lighter purples (lilac) and more romantic. Green is a signifier of balance, harmony and renewal while being the unofficial color of Spring; which gives way to new beginnings!

The color blue is seen as a color of trust and in many cultures signifies peace. A darker blue, like royal blue, can mean importance and unity which makes it a perfect color for a wedding! In ancient Rome, brides would wear blue wedding dresses to symbolize love and fidelity which brings meaning to the proverb "Marry in blue, lover be true".

Green is the unofficial color of Spring signifying health, growth and renewal while white is the epitome of purity and innocence. Together, these colors create a fresh and crisp color palette that are perfect for outdoor weddings. Utilize the lush greenery around you while taking your portraits which are sure to go with your white bouquet and your dress of course!